Non-clogging aerator for faucets



July 28, 1959 H. sHAMEs ETAI. v

NON-CLOGGING AERATOR FOR FAUCETS Filed Sept. 10, 1956 /0 l ZfroZd afzze52 43 ,L5/dugg t7. 522.2172225 e @me o 0 a C/Z Z-Zozz-qg v 2,896,863 l-NoN-CLOGGING nnRAroR FOR FAUCETS Harold Shames, New York, and Sidney J.Shames, Ardsley, N .Y.

lApplication September 10, 1956, Serial No. 608,754

23 Claims. (Cl. 239-431) This invention relates to an aerator forfaucets or the like and more particularly-to a non-clogging faucetaerator.

Faucet aerators for use in kitchens and bathrooms have within vthe pastten years been of increasing popularity. However, all aerators that havebeen sold in the United States in the past ten years, which is estimatedtto number more than 30 million units, have had the undesirable featurethat the jet forming means thereof clog up with debris during usethereof. The water that passes through the aerator may have suspendedtherein fine particles of sand, or grit, and these particles deposit onthe jet forming means adjacent the jet-forming apartures therein, andlittle by little the particles accumulate and-gradually shut down theeffective area of the jet forming means and thus cut down the iiow ofwater delivered from the aerator.

Now the afore-described clogging of aerators occurs -in all aerators,regardless of Whether the aerators are the type which use perforatedplate members, or screens, or mating members to define the water jetforming means,

' and regardless of whether the break-up means against which the waterjets are directed are screen-type elements, or solid, ball or plug, typeelements.

It is notedthat the screen-type element aerator has the furtherdeficiency over the ball or plug type aerator in that even the screensoften being to clog up with debris that passes through the jet formingmeans. However, regardless of the type of aerator, the jet forming meanspresents elements which tend to clog up with use.

It is noted .that our issued Patent No. 2,707,624 discloses and claimsan invention which greatly alleviates the problem of clogging of the jetforming means by providing that the upstream end of the jet formingmeans may become partially clogged with debris without diminishing theamount of water which is passed by the water metering portion of the jetforming means. However, with time and use, even in the device of ouraforesaid patent the deposit of debris eventually becomes` Patented July28, 1959 2 faucets and which avoids the problems of clogging hereinabove set forth. j

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvednon-clogging aerator.

A further object of this invention is lto provide a nonclogging aeratorwhich is effective in use and is characterized by its simplicity andinexpensiveness of construction and by its superiority of perform-ance.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become 'apparentas the .following description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity intheclaims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure l is a vertical cross-section view of a femalethreaded aeratorembodying the elements of this invention and showing the parts when inaerating position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 and showing the parts displacedaway from the aerating position, and in the cleaning or fiushingposition;

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the device of Figures 1 and 2 andparticularly shows the sealing washer used;

in said Patent No. 2,707,624 is a substantial and novel advance in theart of aerating devices, nevertheless, 'the ultimate desired solution ofa non-clogging faucet aerator has not been commercially producedheretofore.

Toward the end of developing a commercially acceptable non-cloggingfaucet aerator, we have devised a non-clogging aerator that is usefulwith all types of liquids to be aerated, including water o-r machinetool coolants, which non-clogging aerator is described and claimed inour co-pending application identified as Serial No. 427,- 925, led May6, 1954. In the respect that `there is some common subject matterdisclosed herein and in said co-pending application, the instantapplication is a continuation-in-part of said coi-pending application,Serial No. 427,925, filed May 6, 1954.

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved aeratorwhich is primarily for use on domestic denean Vupwardly facing concavesurfacez, am, cyliw.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan View of the aerator of Figures 1 and 2 andshows the wide mesh screen that is used; v

Figure 5 is lan enlarged fragmentary view showing a detail ofconstruction of the spring used in the aerator construction of Figuresl-4;.

Figure 6 shows a modified form of non-clogging aerator utilizing aconical spring;

Figure 7 is -an enlarged fragmentary View of the discharge end of anaerator of the type shown in Figures l and 2 and including amodification of the aerator housing;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the discharge end of amodified form of aerator which includes, in combination, certain of theelements shown in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is a vertical cross-section view similar to Figure l showing amale 4threaded aerator, `and provided with a modified' form ofconstruction for the spring for retaining the spring in proper assembledcondition; and

Figure 9a is an enlarged fragmentary View which illustrates a modifiedform of connection of the spring to the screen-type support. f

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure l a femalethreaded aerator adapted for connection to a kitchen or bathroom faucet,and comprising a generally cylindrical casing 10 having an upper inletend and a lower discharge end. The inner wall of the cylindrical casing10 isjthreaded at 12, thus providing the female threads for connectionto a source ofV liquid under p-ressure. Below the threads 12, the casing10 is slitted'or apertured, as at 14, to provide air inlets throughwhich `air may be ingested, or sucked in, for mixing, within the casing10, with liquid which is passing through the aerator. While any numberof apertures 14 may be provided, in the instant disclosure three suchapertures are shown. The casing is also formed to define an annularshoulder 16 adjacent the lower end of the threads 12.l

Within the casing 10 there is positioned an annular guide ring,generally indicated at 18, and a plug member, lgenerally indicated at20, disposed centr-ally of said guide ring. The annular guide ring isshaped to define an outwardly extending flange 22 which is adapted toseat on shoulder V16 of the casing 10. A portion 24 of the annular guiderin-g below the ange 22 is spaced inwardly from the inner wall of thecasing 10V to define an annular recess, or space, 2 6 therebetween. YThe inner surface of the guide ring 18 is shaped to drical surfaceportion 30 located downstream of the concave portion 28 and alsodisposed radially inwardly of said concave surface 28, and aflow-directing conical surface portion 32 `located downstream of thecylindrical surface portion and being sloped to converge ina direc; tiondownstream. The greatest ,diameter of the Aconical surface portion 32is,.preferably, no greater than the diameter of `the cylindricalsurfaceportion 30. Y

, The plug lmember 20 is shaped to Vdefine a cylindrical liquid dividinggear-disc portion 34, a narrowed neck portion 36 extending downstream ofgear-disc 34, and a generally ball-shapedr splash member 38 locateddownstream of the neck portion 36. The maximum diameter of thecylindrical disc portion 3 4 is substantially the same, but justslightly less than the diameter of the cylindrical surface portion 30 inthe `guide ring 18. The maximum dimension of the splash member 38 isless than the minimumdimension of guide 'ring 18.Y This arrangementissuch that the plug 'member 20 lits into yguide 'ring 18 as shown inFigure 1 'and disc portion 34 cooperates with the cylindrical surfaceportion 30 to dene therebetween -a plurality of axially extending flowpassageways which are indicated at `4t) and best seen inV Figure 3. Theperipheral edge of the disc portion 34 is toothed or formed like a gear,as best shown in Figure 3. It will be understood that no specific toothspacing is required.

Now the foregoing arrangement is such that the splash member 38 tsthrough the ring 18 and the disc 34 engages the conical surface portion32 of the guide ring 18, thus providing means for supporting the plugmember 20 within the guide ring 18. The arrangement of the conicalsurface 32 in combinationwith the edges of the gear disc 34 is such thatthe conical surface portion 32 receives the streams of liquid which passthrough the flow passageways 40 and turns and directs said streams ofliquid for movement downstream in a conically converging manner alongthe conical surface 32. The downstream edge of the gear disc 34cooperates with`the conical surface 32 to provide the actual streammetering means for the inwardly directed streams of water. Thus,portions of the vertical flow passageways 40 may become partiallyclogged lwith debris without raiecting the ow passing characteristics ofthe stream metering means.

When the parts are positioned as in Figure l, the splash member 38 ispositioned to have the conically directed streams of liquid directedthereagainst. The liquid which strikes the splash member 38 hassubstantial velocity, and the striking of the liquid thereagainsteffects 1a breakup of the liquid within the mixing chamber 42 definedwithin the barrel 10. At the same time, air is sucked in through theapertures 14 land is mixed with the broken up liquid within mixingchamber 42, and the mixture of water and air, the aerated Water, thenpasses downwardly through the discharge end of the casing 10.

A screen-type support member 44 is located in the casing downstream ofthe splash member 38 and extends across the open end of the casing. Thesupport 44 is retained in position by being seated against an inwardlyturned lip 46 formed at the lower terminal end of the casing 10.Preferably, a retainer ring 48 is press t into the barrel to clamp thesupport 44 against the retaining lip 46. K

The under side of the splash member 38 is recessed, or bored, at 50,providingiav centrally disposed cylindrical recess, positioned withinthe recess 50 is an elongated coil spring 52, one end of which engagesthe plug member 20 at the innermost end of Irecess 50, and the other endof which seats against the screen-type support member 44. The spring'i52is of such a length and spring constant that when therel is no waterflowing through the aerator then the' spring 52 operates to lift theplugmember 20 upwardly toward the position shown of the pp lug member 20andv of the ring member 18,

which cooperate to define the liquid flow passageways when the parts:are in mating condition as shown in Figure l, are thenvexposed, asseenin Figure 2 to the flushing or cleaning action of the Water passingthrough The aerator is further provided with 1an anti-leak washer 54 theshape of which is more fully seen in Figure 3. This washer 54 ispreferably formed of a plastic, such as polyethylene, which hasrubberlike fanti-leak properties and whichV also has some degree ofrigidity.

Preferably the outer diameter of the washer 54 is just;

slightly greater than the inward extent of the teeth 12, so that aslight press fit is required to force the Washer S4 through the open endof the barrel, or casing, 10' into seating engagement on the upper rimof the lannularl .guide ring 1S. The washer 54 is also provided with `aplurality of inwardly extending fingers, or tongues, 56 which `are `of alength to extend radially across the path of upward movement of the plugmember 20. This ar'- rangement is such that the tongues 56 engage theupper surface of the plug member 20 so as to limit upward movement ofthe plug member 20 relative to the guide ring 18. The property ofrigidity of the material of washer 54 assists in restraining upwardmovement of plug member 20. The press fit of the washer 54 intoV thecasing 10 provides that the'washer 54 does not become unseated by the'bias of the spring 52 exerted thereagainst through the plug member 20.

it will be seen `that when the plug member 28 is in the fully raisedposition of Figure 2, there then is a wide open space 5S between theteeth on the disc portion 34 and the concave surface 28 of the guidering. This insures that none of the dirt or debris which becomesaccumulated against the various parts will remain lodged on any of thesurfaces of either the plug member 20 or the guide ring 18.

The `screen type support member 44 is principally for the purpose ofVproviding a support for the lower end of coil spring 52, although thereis some anti-splash effect achieved by the screen member 44 on theaerated liquid passing therethrough. Heretofore, the screens used at theoutlet end of faucet aerators have been of a mesh in the range of 24 to40 per inch. In the instant invention,

it is important that the screen mesh be in the range of substantially 10to 16 per inch. This provides for suiciently large apertures in thescreen support 44 so that none of the debris which passes through thejet forming means will become lodged on the screen support 44.

Because of the very small size of parts herein involved, it is importantthat some way be provided to 5t) and the dimensions of spring 52 so thatthe enlarged end coil of spring S2 must be press lit into the recess 50,while the intermediate coils of the spring 52 remain free` The press tof the single coil is suicient to retain the spring 52 in properlyaligned 'i and resiliently effective.

relation with the plug member 26. After sub-assembly o f the spring andthe plug member 28, the sub-assembly may be handled as a unit anddropped into' position'iin a casingV which has the guide ri11g'18vassembledtherein.N

n Figure 5 it will' An alternate way of maintaining the spring inupright condition as shown in Figure 9 wherein the support screen 44'has mounted centrally thereon an upright pin 58 over which the coilspring 52 may be fitted. The pin 5'8 may be welded or brazed to support44'. If desired, the end coil of spring 52 may be of smaller dimensionthan the intermediate coils so that said end coil may be press fit ontothe pin 58. Still another alternate construction as shown in Figure 9apermits elimination of pin 58 and affords adequate connection of a coilspring to a support screen by means of a dropI or two of solderinterconnecting said parts.

Other variations between the size of cooperating parts, including thespring, will be readily evident as falling within the scope of thisinvention, such as providing recessed portions of different dimensionfor cooperating with springs of uniform coil size. In any event, it willbe appreciated that one of the important features herein is thesub-assembly of the plug lifting spring with a firm connectionestablished between said spring and only one of the two members againstwhich the spring is to abut. This arrangement provides for simplicity offinal assembly.

In Figure 6, there is shown an alternate construction wherein there isutilized a conical coil spring 60y as distinguished from the generallycylindrical coil spring 52 shown in Figures l, 5 and 9. In Figure 6, theconical coil spring is arranged so that the uppermost and smallest coilenters a recess 50 formed in the underside of plug member 20' andengages plug 20', and the lowermost and widest diameter coil of spring60 may be supported by an inwardly extending lip 46 formed at thedischarge end of the casing. The conical spring 60 may be press fiteither into the casing 10 or into the recess 50 in plug 20 so that thelspring may be sub-assembled with one of said two parts comprising theplug member and the casing. Again, a screen 62 may be provided at thedischarge end of the casing 10, if desired. As shown, the screen 62 islocated between the lowermost coil of spring 60 and lip 46. The latterarrangement avoids the necessity of using retainer ring 48 shown inFigure l. It is to benoted that screen 62 is not essential for theaerator of Figure 6. The arrangement of coils of conical spring 60,located outwardly of plug 20' and extending to the inner wall of casing10, in a way provides a certain amount of antisplash feature. ,Theadditional anti-splash feature of spring 62 is merely cumulative.However, the provision of a conical spring for assisting in achievinganti-splash characteristics is novel in this type of structure.

In the modified form shown in Figure 7, the lower terminal end of thecasing 10 is extended as shown at 64 to provide a necked down, orconstricted, discharge aperture at the discharge terminus of the casing10. It has been found that with the wider mesh screen support 44 it issometimes desirable to use a constricted discharge outlet to obtainbetter anti-splash characteristics and a more coherent or uniform columnof discharging aerated Water.

In the modified construction shown in Figure 8, a conical coil spring 60of the type shown in Figure 6 is provided. In Figure 8 no outlet screenis provided. The lower coil of conical spring 50 may engage and seatagainst the inwardly extending portion 64 of casing 10', or may be presslit into the casing 10. However, the discharge end of the casing i9 isconstricted as in Figure 7 to provide better anti-splash characteristicsand a more uniform discharging stream.

With respect to Figure 9, while said figure discloses a modified form ofconnection between the spring 52' and the screen-type support 44' itwill be seen that Figure 9 also discloses a male threaded aeratorwherein the casing is provided with male threads 12. In the device shownin Figure 9, that is the male-threaded aerator, it is preferable topress fit the guide ring 18 into the casing 10 so that the parts willnot-become dis-assembled during manipulation.

4While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment ofthis invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the invention and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claimsto cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. A liquid aerator comprising a barrel having its upstream end adaptedfor connection to a source of liquid, said barrel having air inletstherein, means Within said barrel for breaking up the ow of liquidpassing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with air ingested throughsaidair inlets, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstream end ofthe barrel has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a pair of members having adjacent mating surfaces which formliquid flow passageways therebetween, one of said members adapted to bemoved apart from the other member, whereby the surfaces of said memberswhich are adapted to mate to form said liquid ow passageways areexposed, to be flushed by liquid passing through the aerator, ascreen-type support member carried by said barrel and extending acrossthe barrel adjacent the downstream end thereof, an elongated coil springhaving one end thereof engaging said screen-type member and the otherend thereof engaging said one of the pair of members, said spring beingof a length and spring constant to urge said one member upstream andapart from said other member, and said one member being movabledownstream against the bias of said spring and into mating position withsaid other member by the force of the liquid entering said aerator,

2. A liquid aerator comprising a barrel having its upstream end adaptedfor connection to a source of liquid, said barrel having air inletstherein, means within said barrel for breaking up the flow of liquidpassing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with air ingested throughsaid air inlets, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstream end ofthe barrel has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a pair of members having adjacent mating surfaces which formliquid flow passageways therebetween, one of said members adapted to bemoved apart from the other member, whereby the surfaces of said memberswhich are adapted to mate to form said liquid flow passageways areexposed, to be flushed by liquid passing through the aerator, ascreen-type support member carried by said barrel and extending acrossthe barrel adjacent the downstream end, thereof, an elongated coilspring having one end thereof engaging said screen-type member and theother end thereof engaging said one of the pair of members, said springbeing of a length and spring constant to urge said one member upstreamand apart from said other member, said one member beingl movabledownstream against the bias of said spring and into mating position withsaid other member by the force of the liquid entering said aerator, andmeans connecting said spring to one of the two members against which thespring abuts, to maintain said spring properly positioned relativethereto.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for connectingthe spring to one of the two members against which said spring abutsincludes a solder connection between said spring and said screen-typesupport.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for connectingthe spring to one of the two members against which said spring abutsincludes a peg carried by said screen-type support and extendingupwardly therefrom and being of a dimension to have said coil springpress t thereon.

5. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means forV connectingthe spring `to one of the two members against Vtwhichsaid spring abutsincludes a recess in said one movable member, and an end coil of saidspring being slightly larger than the center coils of the spring topermit press iitting said end coil into said recess in said movablemember while the remaining coils of the springremain free andresiliently eiective.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said barrel defines aconverging outlet terminus downstream of said screen-type supportmember.'

7, A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidV screentype supportmember is of a mesh in the range of substantially to 16 per inch.

8. A liquid aerator comprising a barrel having its upstr eamend` adaptedfor connection to a source of liquid, saidtba'rrel having air inletstherein, means within said barrel for breaking up the flow of liquidpassing therethroughl and for mixing the liquid with air ingestedthrough said air inlets, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstreamend of the barrel has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a pair of members having adjacent mating surfaces which formliquid flow passageways therebetween, one of said members4 adapted to bemoved apart from the other member whereby the surfaces of said memberswhich are adapted to mate to form said liquid iiow passageways areexposed, to be flushed by liquid passing through the aerator, ascreen-type support member carried by said barrel and extending acrossthe barrel adjacent the downstream end thereof, an elongated coil springhaving one end thereof engaging'said screen-type member and the otherend thereof engaging said one of the pair of members, said spring beingof a length and spring constant to urge said one member upstream andapart from said other member, said one member being movable downstreamagainst the bias of said spring and into mating position with said`other member by the force of the liquid entering said aerator, and aresilient sealing washer adjacent the upstream end of said barrel havinga plurality of tongues extending inwardly therefrom across the path ofmovement of said one movable member for engaging said movable member tolimit the upward movement thereof.

9. A liquid aerator comprising a barrel having its upstream end adaptedifor connection to a source of liquid, said barrel Ihaving air inletstherein, means within said barrel for breaking up the flow of liquidpassing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with air ingested throughsaid air inlets, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstream end ofthe barrel has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a pair of members having adjacent mating surfaces which formliquid flow passageways therebetween, one of said members adapted to bemoved apart from the other member, whereby the surfaces of said memberswhich are adapted to mate to form said liquid flow passageways areexposed, to be ushed by liquid passing through the aerator, an annularsupport on the inner wall of said barrel located downstream of saidmembers which denne said liquid flow passageways, a conical coil springsupported onsaid annular support and engaging said one movable member,said spring being of a length and spring constant to` urge said onemember upstream and apart from said other member, and said movablemember being movable downstream against the bias of said spring and intomating position with said other member by the force of the liquidentering said aerator.

10. A liquid aerator comprising a casing having its upstream end adaptedfor connection to a sorurce of liquid under pressure, said casing havingair inlets therein, means within the casing for sticking air into saidcasing throfugh said air inlets and for breaking up the flow ofl liquidpassing therethrough and for mixing the' liquid with air sucked inthrough said air inlets, wherebythe liquid issuing from the ydownstreamend of vthebarrel'has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansin'- cluding a pair of flow control members having adjacent matingsurfaces which form liquid flow passageways therebetween, one of saidiiow control members being' trol member so as to expose the surfaces ofsaid flow^ control members which are adapted lto mate to form saidliquid ow passageways to permit flushing'of said surfaces by liquidpassing through the aerator, a break-upVA member secured to said movableflow control member and extending downstream thereof, said break-upmember being positioned to have the liquid which flows through saidpassageways impinge thereon to finely break up the liquid, a screen-typesupport member in saidcasing downstream of said break-up member andextending across the casing adjacent the downstream end thereof, anelongated coil spring, positioned between said screen support member andsaid break-up member and normallyl through said aerator being operativeto overcome the bias of said resilient means to move said movable flowcontrol member to a position where the flow passageways are re-formedand the apparatus functions to produce an aerated ow of liquid.

1l. A liquid aerator comprising a casing having its upstream end adaptedfor connection to a source of liquid under pressure, saidv casing havingair inlets therein, means within the casing for sucking air into saidcasing through said air inlets and for breaking up the flow of liquidpassing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with air sucked inthrough said air inlets, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstreamend of the barrel has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a pair of iiow control members having adjacent mating surfaceswhich rform liquid flow passageways therebetween, one of said flowcontrol members being movable with respect to the other flow controlmember so as to expose the surfaces of said flow control members whichare adapted to mate to form said liquid flow Ipassageways to permitflushing of said surfaces by liquid passing through the areator, abreak-up member secured to said movable flow control member andextending downstream thereof, said break-up member being positioned tohave the liquid which flows through said passageways impingc thereon tonely break up the liquid, a screen-type support member in said casingdownstream of said break-up member and extending across the casingadjacent the `downstream end thereof, an elongated coil spring,positioned between said screen support member and said break-up memberand normally biasing said movable now control member to a position wherethe flow passageways between said liow control members are open and saidsurfaces which are adapted for mating to form said ow passageways areexposed to permit flushing thereof, and the pressure of liquid owingthrough said aerator being operative to overcome the bias of saidresilient means to move said movable flow control member to a positiongwhere the flow passageways are re-formed and the appa- 12. A device asset forth in claim ll wherein said i said movable ow control member, andan end coil of said spring being slightly larger than the center coilsof lthe spring tov permit press'iittingr said end Vcoil into 'theaseases recess in said flow control member while the remaining coils ofthe spring remain free and resiliently effective.

13. A liquid aerator comprising, in combination: a tubular barrel havingits upstream end adapted for connection to a supply of liquid underpressure and having lateral air inlets therein; an annlar ring in saidbarrel extending inwardly from the inner wall of said barrel andproviding an inner ring surface which includes an upstream cylindricalsurface portion, and a flow-directing conical surface portion locateddownstream of said cylindrical surface portion and being sloped toconverge downstream, and the greatest diameter of said conical surfaceportion being no greater than the diameter of said cylindrical surfaceportion; a plug member movably arranged relative to said annular ringand Acomprising a cylindrical liquid-dividing disc and a splash memberdownstream of said dividing disc, said cylindrical liquid-dividing dischavl ing a plurality of axially extending grooves formed in theperiphery thereof, the maximum diameter of said cylindrical disc beingsubstantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical surfaceportion, so ythat said ring and grooved disc are adapted to cooperate todefine therebetween a plurality of axially extending flow passageways,said conical surface portion being positioned to receive and to turn anddirect the ilow of liquid issuing from said ow passageways for movementdownstream along said conical surface portion, said splash member beingpositioned to have the liquid, which is directed by said convergingconical surface portion, directed thereagainst to effect break-up ofsaid liquid within said barrel and to cause aeration of said liquidwithin said barrel With air aspirated thereinto through said Vairinlets; a screen-type support member located in said barrel downstreamof said splash member and extending across the barrel adjacent thedownstream end thereof, and an elongated coil spring having one endthereof engaging said screen-type support member and the other endthereof engaging said splash member, said spring being of a length andspring constant to urge said plug member upstream relative to saidannular ring, against the force exerted on said plug member by theliquid passing through the aerator, to expose the portions of saidannular ring and liquid-dividing disc, which are adapted to cooperate todene said ow passage- Ways, to ushing action by liquid passing throughthe aerator.

14. A liquid aerator comprising, in combination: a tubular barrel havingits upstream end adapted for connection to a supply of liquid underpressure and having laterial air inlets therein; an annular ring in saidbarrel extending inwardly from the inner wall of said barrel andproviding an inner ringsurface which includes an upstream cylindricalsurface portion, and a how-directing conical surface portion locateddownstream of said cylindrical surface portion and being sloped toconverge downstream, and the greatest diameter of said conical surfaceportion being no greater than the diameter of said cylindrical surfaceportion; a plug member movably arranged relative to said annular ringand comprising a cylindrical liquid-dividing disc and a splash memberdownstream of said dividing disc, said cylindrical liquid-dividing dischaving a plurality of axially extending grooves formed in the peripherythereof, the maximum diameter of said cylindrical disc beingsubstantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical surfaceportion so .that said ring and grooved disc are adapted to cooperate todefine therebetween a plurality of axially extending ow passageways,said conical surface portion being positioned to receive and to turn anddirect the ow of liquid issuing from said flow passageways for movementdownstream along said conical surface portion, said splash member beingpositioned 'to have the liquid, which is directed by said convergingconical surface portion, directed thereagainst to effect break-up ofsaid liquid within said barrel and to cause aeration of said liquidwithin said barrel with air aspirated thereinto through said air inlets;a screen-type support member located in said barrel downstream of saidsplash member and extending across the barrel adjacent the downstreamend thereof, an elongated coil spring having one end thereof engagingsaid screen-type support member and the other end thereof engagingsaidsplash member, said spring being of a length and spring constant tourge said plug member upstream relative to said annular ring, againstthe force exerted on said plug member by the liquid passing fthrough theaerator, to expose the portions of said annular ring and liquid-dividingdisc, which are adapted to cooperate to define said low passageways, toiushing action by liquid passing through the aerator, and meansconnecting said spring to only one of the two members against which thespring abuts, to maintain said spring properly positioned relativethereto.

, 15. A device as set forth in claim 14 whereinthe means for connectingsaid spring to one of the two members against which the spring abutsincludes a recess in the splash member portion of the plug member, andan end coil of said spring being slightly larger than the center coilsof thespring to permit press fitting said end coil into the recess insaid splash member While the remaining coils of the spring remain freeand resiliently effective.

16. A liquid aerator comprising, in combination: a tubular barrel havingits upstream end adapted for connection to a supply of liquid underpressure and having lateral air inlets therein; an annular ring in saidbarrel extending inwardly from the inner wall of said barrel andproviding an inner ring surface which includes an upstream cylindricalsurface portion, and a flow-directing conical surface portion locateddownstream of said cylindrical surface portion and being sloped toconverge downstream, and the greatest diameter of said conical surfaceportion being no greater than the diameter of said cylindrical surfaceportion; a plug member movably arranged relative to said annular ringand comprising a cylindrical liquiddividing disc and a splash member,said cylindrical liquiddividing disc having a plurality of axiallyextending grooves formed in the periphery thereof, the maximum diameterof said cylindrical disc being substantially the same as the diameter ofsaid cylindrical surface portion so that said ring and grooved disc areadapted to cooperate to dene therebetween a plurality of axiallyextending ilow passageways, said conical surface portion beingpositioned to receive and to turn and direct the flow of liquid issuingfrom said flow passageways for movement downstream along said conicalsurface portion, said splash member being located downstream of saidconical surface portion and positioned to have the liquid, which isdirected by said converging conical surface portion, directedthereagainst to effect break-up of said liquid within said barrel and tocause aeration of said liquid within said barrel with air aspiratedthereinto through said air inlets; an annular support on'the inner wa-llof said barrel located downstream of said annular ring and said plugmember, and a conical coil spring supported on said annular support andengaging said splash member, said spring being of a length and constantto urge said plug member upstream relative to said annular ring, againstthe force exerted on said plug mernber by the liquid passing through theaerator, to eX- pose the portions ofsaid annular ring andliquid-dividing disc, which are adapted to cooperate to deiine said flowpassageways, to flushing action by liquid passing through the aerator.

17. A liquid aerator comprising a barrel having its upstream end adaptedfor connection to a source of liquid, said barrel defining an air intakethereinto, means within said barrel for breaking up the flow of liquidpassing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with air ingested throughsaid air intake, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstream end ofthe barrel has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a pair of members having adjacent mating surfaces which formliquid flow passageways therebetween, one of said members adapted to bemoved apart from the other member,

whereby the surfaces of said members which are adapted to mate to formsaid liquid ow passageways are exposed, to be flushed'by liquid passingthrough the aerator, a screen-type support member carried by said barreland extending across the barrel and being located downstream of saidpair of members, elongated resilient means having one end thereofengaging said screen-type support member and the other end thereofengaging said one of the pair of members, said resilient means being ofthe length and resilient constant to urge said one member apart fromsaid other member, and said one member being movable against the bias ofsaid resilient member, and into mating position with said other memberunder the force of the liquid entering said aerator.

18. A `liquid aerator comprising a barrel having its upstream endadapted for connection to a source of liquid, said barrel defining anair intake thereinto, means within said barrel for breaking up the ow ofliquid passing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with air ingestedthrough said air intake, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstreamend of the barrel has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a plug member having jet-forming means delined therein and aring member, said plug and ring members having complementary surfaceswhich are adapted to be disposed in adjacent mating relationship, one ofsaid pair of complementary surfaced members being movable between a rstposition, wherein said complementary surfaces are in adjacent matingrelation, and a'second position, wherein said complementary surfaces arespaced apart to be exposed to ushing action by liquid passing throughsaid aerator, a support member carried by said barrel and extendingacross the barrel and being located downstream of said pair of members,elongated resilient means having one end thereof engaging'said supportmember and the other end thereof engaging said one of the pair ofmembers, said resilient means being Vof a length and resilient constantto urge said one member apart from said other member, and said onemember being movable against the bias of said resilient member, and intomating position with said other member under the force of the liquidentering said aerator.

19. A liquid aerator comprising a casing having its upstream end adaptedfor connection to a source of liquid under'pressure, said casing havingair inlets therein, means within the casing for sucking air into saidcasing through said air inlets and for breaking up the llow of liquidpassing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with air sucked inthrough said air inlets, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstreamend of the casing has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a pair of ow control members having adjacent mating surfaceswhich form liquid flow passageways therebetween, one of saidfiow'control members being movable with respect to the other llowcontrol member so as to expose the surfaces of said ilow control memberswhich are adapted to mate to form said liquid ilow passageways to permitilushing of said surfaces by liquid passing through the aerator, asupport member in the casing dovmstream of said flow control members,resilient means positioned between said support member and said movableflow control member and normally biasing said movable flow controlmember to a position where said flow passageways are open, and saidsurfaces which are adapted for mating to form said flow passageways areexposed to permit flushing thereof, and the pressure of liquid flowingthrough said aerator being operative to overcome the bias of saidresilient means to move said movable flow control member to a positionwhere the ilow passageways are re-forrned and the apparatus functions-toproduce an aerated ow of liquid.

2G. A liquid aerator comprising a casing having its upstream end`adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure, said casinghaving air inlets therein, means within the casing for sucking air intosaid casing through said air inlets and for breaking up the flow ofliquid passing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with l2 air'sucked in through saidair linlets, whereby the liquid issuing fromthedownstream endofy the casinghas small bubbles disseminated throughout,saidY means includinga pair of ilow controlV members havingadjacentmating surfaces which form liquid flow passageways therebetween, one ofsaid flow control members being movable with respect to the'other owcontrol member so as to expose the surfaces of said flow control memberswhich are adapted to mate to form said liquid tlow passageways to permitilushing of said surfaces b'y liquid passing through the aerator, and abreak-up member secured to said movable flow control member andpositioned doiwnstream of said ilow control members, said Y break-upmember being positioned to have the liquid which ilows through saidpassageways impinge thereon to nely break up the liquid, a'supportmember downstream of said break-up member, resilient means,'positio"nedbetween said support member and'said break-'up member, normally biasingsaid movable low control member to a position where the ow passagewaysbetween said flow control members are open, and said surfaces which areadapted for mating to form said ilow passageways are exposed to permitushing thereof, and the pressure of liquid flowing through said aeratorbeing operative to overcome the bias of said resilient means to movesaid movable ilow control member to a position where the flowpassageways are re-formed and the apparatus functions to lproduce anaerated ow of liquid.

2l. A liquid aerator. comprising a casing having its upstream endadapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure, said casinghaving air inlets therein, means within the casing for sucking air intosaid casing through said air inlets and for breaking up the flow ofliquid'passing therethrough and for mixing the liquid with air sucked inthrough said air inlets, whereby the liquid issuing from the downstreamend of the casing has small bubbles disseminated throughout, said meansincluding a pair of flow control members having adjacent mating surfaceswhich form liquid low passageways therebetween, one of said flow controlmembers being movable with respect to the other llow control member soas to expose the surfaces of saidflowcontrol members which arev adaptedto mate to form said liquid ow passageways to permit flushing of saidsurfaces by liquid passing -through the aerator, and a break-up membersecured to said movable ow control member and'positioned downstream ofsaid flow control members, said break-up member being poistioned to havethe liquid whichY flows through said passageways impinge thereon tofinely break up the liquid, a support member downstream of said break-upmember, a recess in the downstream'side of said break-up member, ahelical spring on said lsupport member entering said recess in thebreak-up Vmember and engaging the break-up member, said helical springnormally biasing said movable flow control member to a position wherethe ow passageways between said flow control members are open, and saidsurfaces which are adapted for mating to form said ow passageways areexposed to permit flushing thereof, and the pressure of liquid flowingthrough said aerator being operative to overcome the bias of saidresilient means to move said movable flow control member to a positionwhere the flow Vpassageways are re-formed and the apparatus functionsto` produce' an aerated 'flow of liquid.

22. A liquid aerator comprising, in combination: a tubular barrel havingits upstream.Y end adapted for connectionV to a. supply of liquid underpressure and having lateral air inlets therein; an annular ring in saidbarrel extending inwardly from the inner wall of said barrel andproviding an inner ring surface which includes an upstream cylindricalsurface portion, and airflow-directing conical surface portion locateddownstream of said cylindrical surface portion and being sloped toconverge downstream, and the greatest diameter of said conical4 surfaceportion` being no greater than the diameter of said cylindrical surfaceportion; a plug member movably arranged relative to said annular ringand comprising a cylindrical liquid-dividing disc and a splash member,said cylindrical liquid-dividing disc having a plurality of axiallyextending grooves formed in the periphery thereof, the maximum diameterof said cylindrical disc being substantially the same as the diameter ofsaid cylindrical surface portion, so that said ring and grooved disc areadapted to cooperate to define therebetween a plurality of axiallyextending flow passageways, said conical surface portion beingpositioned to receive and to turn and direct the flow of liquid issuingfrom said flow passageways for movement downstream along said conicalsurface portion, said splash member being located downstream of saidconical surface portion and positioned to have the liquid, which isdirected by said converging conical surface portion, directedthereagainst to effect break-up of said liquid within said barrel and tocause aeration of said liquid within said barrel with air aspiratedthereinto through said air inlets; and resilient means engaging saidplug member and urging said plug member upstream, relative to saidannular ring, against the force exerted on said plug member by theliquid passing through the aerator, to expose the portions of saidannular ring and liquid-dividing disc, which are adapted to cooperate todefine said flow passageways, to flushing action by liquid passingthrough the aerator, said resilient means including an upright helicalspring the upper end of which engages said plug member, and aperturedsupport means carried by said barrel against which the lower end of saidhelical spring abuts.

23. A liquid aerator comprising, in combination: a tubular barrel havingits upstream end adapted for connection to a supply of liquid underpressure and having lateral air inlets therein; an annular ring in saidbarrel extending inwardly from the inner wall of said barrel andproviding an inner ring surface which includes an upstream cylindricalsurface portion, and a flow-directing conical surface portion locateddownstream of said cylindrical surface portion and being sloped toconverge downstream, and the greatest diameter of said conical surfaceportion being no greater than the diameter of said cylindrical surfaceportion; a plug member movably arranged relative to said annular ringand comprising a cylindrical being positioned to receive and to turn anddirect the flow of liquid issuing from said ow passageways for movementdownstream ialong said conical surface portion, said splash member beinglocated downstream of said conical surfaceportion and positioned to havethe'liquid which is directed by said converging conical surface portion,directed thereagainst to effect break-up of said liquid within saidbarrel and to cause aeration of said liquid within said barrel with airaspirated thereinto through said air inlets; and resilient meansengaging said plug member and urging said plug member upstream, relativeto said annular ring, against the force exerted on said plug member bythe liquid passing through the aerator, to expose the portions of saidannular ring and liquid-dividing disc, which are adapted to cooperate todefine said flow passageways, to flushing action by liquid passingthrough the aerator, said resilient means including an upright helicalspring the upper end of which engages said plug member, an aperturedsupport means carried by said barrel against which the lower end of saidhelical spring abuts, said splash member defining a downwardly openingrecess, and said helical spring being positioned to enter saiddownwardly opening recess in said splash member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,565,554 Goodrie Aug. 28, 1951 2,583,232 Russell Jan. 22, 19522,583,234 Russell et al Jan. 22, 1952 2,643,104 Holden June 23, 19532,675,218 Bletcher et al Apr. 13, 1954 2,688,515 Filliung Sept. 7, 19542,707,624 Shames et al May 3, 1955 2,741,467 Lee et al. Apr. 10, 1956

